MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow has seen her annual salary slashed by $5 million, a direct result of plunging viewership and a corporate overhaul by Comcast. The salary cut reflects the network’s ongoing struggles as it grapples with significant declines in ratings, especially after President-elect Donald Trump’s victory.
Maddow, who previously earned $30 million annually for hosting “The Rachel Maddow Show,” will now make $25 million over the next five years under her renegotiated contract. In addition to hosting her show, she will also take on new roles producing podcasts and documentaries for the network, in an effort to diversify her contributions and bolster MSNBC’s programming.
The situation at MSNBC continues to worsen as owner Comcast tries to rebrand the network following President Trump’s decisive win.
Rachel Maddow, the networks highest-paid propagandist, just had her salary cut by $5 million/yr for the next 5 years. pic.twitter.com/JPc7sSJKiT
— Bad Hombre (@joma_gc) November 21, 2024
The move to reduce Maddow’s salary comes amid a broader restructuring of Comcast, which plans to spin off several of its cable channels, including MSNBC. This shift is seen as an acknowledgment that streaming services, not traditional cable networks, are the future of television. The corporate shakeup will also likely result in the rebranding of MSNBC, with potential changes to its name, logo, and headquarters, along with possible job cuts.
Executives at MSNBC have acknowledged the challenges the network faces, with some praising Maddow’s role in maintaining its brand. One executive described her as “ratings Viagra,” noting that no other figure could match her ability to draw viewers, even during difficult times. There are also plans to feature Maddow more prominently on other MSNBC programs, particularly when there is breaking news.
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow’s salary reportedly cut by $5M despite being ‘ratings Viagra’ – as parent company Comcast deals with ‘difficult time’ https://t.co/obA4hhLFPM pic.twitter.com/akXpAEbKQY
— New York Post (@nypost) November 21, 2024
The network’s ratings have taken a hit since Trump’s victory, with reports indicating that viewership has plummeted by 54%. This decline has led to criticism from former on-air commentators who argue that MSNBC’s coverage, particularly its focus on Kamala Harris and liberal causes, alienated a significant portion of its audience. One anonymous commentator stated that the network’s liberal bias became too overwhelming, creating an echo chamber that turned viewers away.
BREAKING: MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow has had her annual salary cut by $5 million, amid reports that network staffers are “in a panic” over the network’s future, according to a report. pic.twitter.com/1z0ANYoXcW
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) November 22, 2024
As MSNBC faces these challenges, it must find a way to regain its footing in an increasingly competitive media landscape. The network is under pressure to adapt to the shifting preferences of viewers, who are turning to digital platforms for their news and entertainment.
